On Becoming a Great Leader

Over the past 20 years, leadership has been the leading topic in business. Scholars, thought leaders, and champions of business have sought to define it, yet great leadership still seems allusive and mysterious in so many ways. At its core, leadership is the ability to influence others. Great leadership, however, looks much different. Great leadership has three fundamental components: Character, Competence and Vision. If any one component is missing, leadership is not sustainable. Character is about doing what’s right, no matter what. Competence is about knowing and executing successfully. Vision is the fuel that gives the leader passion and purpose. Many leaders today view leadership much like American Idol—they want fame, fortune, power, popularity and prestige. Great leadership, however, is about sacrifice, discipline, service, integrity and seeking to make a positive difference in the world. Becoming a great leader is not about comfort and ease. It’s not about flying First-Class, it’s about flying with Best-Class.

Great leadership begins and ends with how a person leads themselves. It is about who they are when nobody is looking. Character is the foundation of great leadership, but it has become a rare quality. We have mega church pastors that lead a congregation of 25,000 members yet abuse their spouse and mistreat their employees. We have Fortune 500 executives that lead billion-dollar companies involved in corruption and fraud. We have politicians that act like they are untouchable and commit crime that would put the average person behind bars. On the outside, they look like great leaders. They are successful financially, have a best-selling book, and have an international following. Yet, their personal lives are weak and falling apart. Their motives are self-seeking, and they will step on anyone that gets in their way. 

Great leaders are humble because they have paid the price and never forget where they came from. They are free because they will never lead in a way where fame, fortune, power, popularity, or prestige will own them.  They will walk away from any deal or situation that jeopardizes this freedom. Many leaders today are willing to compromise their integrity if it will advance their agenda. Therefore, we see many leaders fall. 

Before one embarks on a journey to become a leader, they need to ask themselves why? What is the motive behind becoming a leader? Is it for personal gain or is it for the advancement of a worthy cause that they are willing to sacrifice and suffer for! Great leadership is not easy and not for the timid of heart. 

“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power”

--Abraham Lincoln